ScottWritesEverything.comhttp://scottwriteseverything.com
Wed, 20 Aug 2014 13:00:32 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/scottwriteseverythinghttps://feedburner.google.com8 Things I’ve Learned Since Turning 30http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/3s_7dB-nDvM/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/08/20/8-things-ive-learned-since-turning-30/#commentsWed, 20 Aug 2014 13:00:32 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=596Today is my 31st birthday. I didn’t really freak out when I turned 30. For some reason, turning 31 (and officially being “in” my 30s) seems to be hitting a bit harder. It could be that I’m a month away from being a father once again. It could be something else. All that said, I’ve […]

I didn’t really freak out when I turned 30. For some reason, turning 31 (and officially being “in” my 30s) seems to be hitting a bit harder. It could be that I’m a month away from being a father once again. It could be something else.

All that said, I’ve had a bit of time to think and reflect on how my life has progressed since turning 30. It may only be a number, but my 31st year has taught me a lot about myself. Here are a few things I’ve learned since hitting that number:

1. I had no true concept of what my adult life would be like, and that’s okay.

I never had the concept in my mind of what my adult life would look like, and somehow, I think I’m better for it. There’s something about zero expectations that makes life a bit easier to navigate.

2. Nothing is more complicated than explaining a “grown up” concept to a 4-year-old.

My daughter is old enough to ask many questions about topics that I would classify as “above her pay grade.” Yet, you have to provide some sort of answer and frame it in such a way that it can be at least partially understood.

3. Being a parent is the ultimate improv class.

4. Things will hurt whether you use them or not. You might as well use them.

I’ve now reached the age where I can hurt myself by daring to wake up and get out of bed. If that’s the case, I figure I might as well hurt for a good reason, not a lame one. That’s why, courtesy of a gift card from my folks, I picked up and am starting to use a FitBit.

5. Being good at something does not obligate you to continue to do said something.

A friend of mine recently walked away from a long, successful career in marketing to become a chef. A chef. Just goes to show you that you can walk away from something you’re good at.

6. You don’t have to have your life figured out at age 30—but you do need to own what you’re doing.

I doubt anyone grows up wanting to be an email marketer (regardless of my four-year-old pretending to “go to work” to “do emails”). That said, you need to be responsible and own what you’re doing in that moment. You can’t just wallow in the potentially disappointing fact that you don’t “have it all figured out.” You need to accept your lot, set goals, move forward, and accept that life makes you change.

7. Perhaps the most important thing you can teach anyone is how to make a decision for themselves.

There’s too much information and “information” out there. And teaching people HOW to think (not WHAT to think) is critical to growth, perspective, and decision-making.

It’s also the hardest thing to do. Because people are inherently lazy and afraid to make decisions. We’re all guilty of it, and we all need to continue to teach ourselves to do it.

8. If you’re not learning, you’re not living.

I have it easy with a four-year-old teaching me new things every day. But, honestly, if you’re not learning, what are you doing?

What are some things you’ve learned in the last year? Share them below.

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/08/20/8-things-ive-learned-since-turning-30/feed/0http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/08/20/8-things-ive-learned-since-turning-30/Scott Writes Everything Turns 5http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/xlk0I9ie8_8/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/07/29/scott-writes-everything-turns-5/#commentsTue, 29 Jul 2014 15:00:38 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=586Five years ago, I decided to start Scott Writes Everything. I was a marketing copywriter, married, childless (albeit temporarily–my daughter is about to turn five), and had just begun to dip my toe in the email marketing game. Today? I’m a VP for an email marketing agency, still married (happily, I might add), and about […]

]]>Five years ago, I decided to start Scott Writes Everything. I was a marketing copywriter, married, childless (albeit temporarily–my daughter is about to turn five), and had just begun to dip my toe in the email marketing game. Today? I’m a VP for an email marketing agency, still married (happily, I might add), and about to become a father once again (as announced here).

This blog has seen me change jobs three times, move across country, and nearly lose it when it got hacked and forced me to rebuild. It has seen me through the ups and downs of becoming a father for the first time, helped me develop a voice in the email marketing industry, and allowed me the opportunity to express myself (and filter myself) in new and exciting ways.

So what’s next?

I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot lately. Frankly, I don’t know. I’m still grappling with whether or not to make this space much more personal and open. Perhaps that’s why I haven’t really written since my last “5 years” article.

But in any case, five years of a blog is something to celebrate. Here’s to the next five years.

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/07/29/scott-writes-everything-turns-5/feed/0http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/07/29/scott-writes-everything-turns-5/Superheroes and Superpowershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/on3sv_BZm7E/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/05/21/superheroes-superpowers/#commentsWed, 21 May 2014 14:00:35 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=578Years ago, I was taking part in one of those all-day job interviews. You know that kind—you’re passed around from person to person, you get taken to lunch, and you get asked the same questions over and over again. In this job interview, one particular interviewer asked me, “If you were a superhero, which superhero […]

]]>Years ago, I was taking part in one of those all-day job interviews. You know that kind—you’re passed around from person to person, you get taken to lunch, and you get asked the same questions over and over again.

In this job interview, one particular interviewer asked me, “If you were a superhero, which superhero would you be and why?”

At the time, I was caught off guard a bit. I had never been asked that question before—and I wasn’t sure why that would come up.

But, I recovered and gave this answer:

“Batman—because I may not have superpowers, but I am resourceful and creative with the tools and skills I do have.”

Clearly, it was the right answer as I was offered that job. (I didn’t take it—that’s a long story.) And years later, my answer hasn’t changed.

I don’t have superpowers. I have never pretended to have superpowers (okay, that’s not true…).

I am resourceful. I am creative. And I do the best I can with what I’ve got.

Very Batman-esque (though I could do with the Batmobile and perhaps the billion+ dollars… but that’s not really important).

Now, given all that, my wife asked me about a month ago what superpower I would choose to have if given the choice.

My answer is easy: Telekinesis (a.k.a. Moving shit with my mind).

Why? Because I can MOVE EVERYTHING WITH MY MIND.

Naturally, my wife says she wants the ability to fly.

What do I say? I can move shit with my mind–including myself. I can mind myself into the air!

If you’re a strong telekinetic (say a Jean Grey/Phoenix type), you can do just about anything you want–short of firing lasers out of your eyes and reading people’s minds. (Yes, I know. Jean Grey/Phoenix are both telekinetics and telepaths.)

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/05/21/superheroes-superpowers/feed/0http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/05/21/superheroes-superpowers/Coming Soon: Baby Cohen #2http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/75YYSmYbb0c/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/03/14/coming-soon-baby-cohen-2/#commentsFri, 14 Mar 2014 14:00:53 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=569Once more unto the breach! Yes, that’s right. The wife is pregnant with our second child. Due in September. I guess it’s time to “daddy blog” again. The kiddo has been informed–and has thusly informed us that she desires a baby sister. (She has been thusly thusly informed that we have no control over such […]

Yes, that’s right. The wife is pregnant with our second child. Due in September. I guess it’s time to “daddy blog” again.

The kiddo has been informed–and has thusly informed us that she desires a baby sister. (She has been thusly thusly informed that we have no control over such things.)

We are absolutely excited about this new development in our lives–and scared shitless at the same time. Which is not at all different from the first time around.

Yet… there are many things that are different this time around.

“No freak outs until heartbeat.”

When we found out 8 weeks ago that my wife is pregnant, the scene felt different. We definitely wanted this to happen. And maybe it was just a particularly tough day with the kiddo. But our reaction was subdued–at least comparatively to the first time.

And my brain? It went into ballistic logistics mode…

How were we going to pay for this? Would my wife do part-time for a year like before? Could we afford that? We just moved, what the hell are we doing?

Deep breath…

That’s when we decided that our rule would be “No freak outs until heartbeat.” Meaning we wouldn’t even consider taking next steps until we got a definitive look at our new baby and could tell things were going well.

Things are going well so far, so there’s that. (I’m freaking out about logistics–though things are beginning to make more sense, both emotionally and financially.)

“It’s always morning around here.”

With our first, my wife’s morning sickness was pretty subdued. A bad day here and there, but she mostly described it as being carsick all the time.

This time? Morning sickness from hell. To the point she needed meds to function for a while. She’s getting better by the day as we leave the first trimester, but yeah…

Try explaining to your 4-year-old why Mama has to throw up all the time… or why she can throw up one minute and want guacamole from the Mexican restaurant the next…

Nothing quite like hearing your 4-year-old sigh and say with a tone of resignation, “Mama has to throw up again…”

“I’ve forgotten what no sleep feels like.”

This isn’t entirely true. I haven’t slept more than 2-3 hours at a time since my first was born. But then again, the no sleep parade is a whole new kind of tired.

Am I excited about this part? No. I feel like one kid aged me much faster than my 30 years would indicate–then again, four surgeries in four years also has that effect as well.

“I guess we aren’t playing house anymore.”

I could have said this when I turned 30, but there’s real truth to this with the “American Dream” kid that’s on the way (we’ll have two kids and a dog, the 2.5 kid “dream.”)

Somehow, this second child is making me think more seriously about the future than ever before. And not so much the “What do I want to do with my life?” type of questions (because that will never be solved). But rather things like…

Retirement… investing… savings… debt reduction… schools… activities…

Maybe it’s just that I watch a lot of golf, and therefore a lot of retirement commercials.

“We’re still making it up as we go along–and we love it.”

Despite what I’ve been saying, yes, I am very excited. I want a second child (for some reason). And given that every day with one kid, I still feel like I’m making it up as I go along.

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/03/14/coming-soon-baby-cohen-2/feed/1http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/03/14/coming-soon-baby-cohen-2/Five Years of Email Marketinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/xKoa394CtkA/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/02/26/five-years-email-marketing/#commentsWed, 26 Feb 2014 15:00:13 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=549As I’m sure most of you saw a few weeks ago, Facebook turned 10. In celebration, they released “Lookback” videos. During mine, I was told I joined Facebook in 2004. It is hard to believe I’ve been a member of any social network for 10 years (okay, email for closer to 20 years). And after […]

While I’ve been on Facebook for 10 years, it’s really the last five years that have changed my life considerably. But I’ll skip the obvious personal story (yes, having a kid definitely changes your life).

What happened five years ago? I got the email marketing bug*.

Five years ago, I went to Email Evolution Conference for the first time–as a copywriter who needed to learn some email tips as part of taking new responsibilities at work. I know it sounds cliche, but those three days in Scottsdale (yes, Arizona, not Miami) changed my life. I left that conference with a thirst for knowledge and a new direction to pursue: email marketing.

Five years ago, I found an email marketing industry that was filled with people like me: Slightly crazy, good at what we do, with an underdog mentality.

Five years is a long time, particularly in this technological age. And after hitting these social network milestones, I thought it was a good time for some reflection on where my career has taken me. And, as I continue to determine what I want to do with this space (as it hits the 5-year mark of existence in July), I’m intrigued by what the next five years will bring.

What are you looking forward to in the next five years?

————————-

* Editor’s Note: Having not been born when the Jonestown Massacre occurred, I was reminded of the very negative connotation surrounding the phrase “drink the kool-aid.” I have updated this post to reflect this.

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/02/26/five-years-email-marketing/feed/1http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/02/26/five-years-email-marketing/Quick Take: Credibilityhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/DNkT_y9hAkE/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/02/04/quick-take-credibility/#commentsWed, 05 Feb 2014 03:19:26 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=553In light of tonight’s debate between Bill Nye and Ken Ham on evolution and creationism, I thought of this quote from Man of the Year: If everything seems credible then nothing seems credible. You know, TV puts everybody in those boxes, side-by-side. On one side, there’s this certifiable lunatic who says the Holocaust never happened. […]

If everything seems credible then nothing seems credible. You know, TV puts everybody in those boxes, side-by-side. On one side, there’s this certifiable lunatic who says the Holocaust never happened. And next to him is this noted, honored historian who knows all about the Holocaust. And now, there they sit, side-by-side, they look like equals! Everything they say seems to be credible. And so, as it goes on, nothing seems credible anymore! We just stopped listening!

If nothing is credible, how do you explain the world to a 4-year-old? And not only that, but what terms do you use?

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/02/04/quick-take-credibility/feed/0http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/02/04/quick-take-credibility/Does Your Email Marketing Smell?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/EkcoyQ7AguA/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/01/14/email-marketing-smell/#commentsTue, 14 Jan 2014 15:00:48 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=530This is more of a question-for-you post than me-telling-you-how-it-is post: I’ve been very slowly reading Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing (affiliate link) by Roger Dooley. The last chapter I completed was entitled “Does Your Marketing Smell?” The basic premise of this chapter is that the olfactory glands in humans have a […]

So, if smell is so important to a customer experience, then there are two questions to ask yourself:

Does your brand have a smell?

How can you extend that smell to your email marketing efforts?

If you’re doing email marketing for a restaurant or food service, the answer is pretty simple: Show the food in some way that triggers those desirable emotions. After all, there’s a reason we’re shown sizzling steaks in steakhouse commercials or melted cheese hanging from a pizza slice in a Papa John’s commercial (Peyton Manning notwithstanding).

But what if your smell isn’t that obvious? How do you evoke a smell-related emotional reaction from, say, an email marketing message for a bank? The smell of money? That seems pretty brash and, frankly, extremely tacky for a reputable bank to be marketing the “smell” of money–particularly in our plastic-dependent world.

The question goes to you. How can you “brand” a less obvious scent through email marketing?

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/01/14/email-marketing-smell/feed/0http://scottwriteseverything.com/2014/01/14/email-marketing-smell/Three Words for 2014http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/4usAtgWhSgg/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2013/12/31/three-words-2014/#commentsTue, 31 Dec 2013 15:00:23 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=521At this time every year, I read several of these types of posts where three words are chosen as a summation of what individuals want to “work actionably on changing/improving in the coming year.” (Chris Brogan was the first to turn me onto this type of post – here is his 2013 edition). In light […]

]]>At this time every year, I read several of these types of posts where three words are chosen as a summation of what individuals want to “work actionably on changing/improving in the coming year.” (Chris Brogan was the first to turn me onto this type of post – here is his 2013 edition).

In light of 2013 being a fast-paced, hectic year of change, 2014 is shaping up to be a year of change as well. And navigating change requires goals, plans, and milestones.

So, at the risk of being unoriginal, instead of resolutions for the New Year, I have decided to choose Three Words of my own.

MY THREE WORDS FOR 2014

Focus – With all of the upheaval from this past year (see here, here, and here), focus has been a hard thing to come by. Now that things are settled (well, as settled as they can be with a 4-year-old running around), this year will require focus and determination to accomplish the goals at hand. This means less extraneous stuff and more energy spent on growth and accomplishment. Which leads me to…

Training – Exercise. Skills Improvement and Expansion. Knowledge Building. All of these buzzwords will matter much more year. More writing. More reading (which will lend itself to more writing, hopefully). Less excuses. 2013 was supposed to be “my year” and it slipped away from me in many ways. Yet, 2013 laid the groundwork for 2014. Just need to do it.

Patience – Between the nerve damage in my left thumb and the push this coming year for financial order, patience is the balancing word for all of this. Nerves especially take an enormous amount of time to heal. Patience is necessary for healing. It’s also necessary to maintain focus and continue training. This year won’t be perfect, but with patience, I know I’ll accomplish many of my goals.

WHAT ARE YOUR THREE WORDS?

I found this exercise to be fruitful and allow me to put down “on paper” that which I hope to accomplish this year. What are your three words for 2014? Let me know in the comments and include a link if you’ve posted them somewhere else.

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2013/12/31/three-words-2014/feed/8http://scottwriteseverything.com/2013/12/31/three-words-2014/The Mo Gets Personalhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/M_HO8mgM0q4/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2013/12/04/personal-mo/#commentsWed, 04 Dec 2013 17:00:15 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=505There are thousands of diseases and an equal number of causes devoted to ending them. With all of these causes out there, how do you decide which one(s) to support? Ultimately, in my experience, support comes from those who have a personal connection to those causes. That’s why this year, I decided to participate in […]

]]>There are thousands of diseases and an equal number of causes devoted to ending them. With all of these causes out there, how do you decide which one(s) to support?

Ultimately, in my experience, support comes from those who have a personal connection to those causes.

That’s why this year, I decided to participate in Movember for the first time.

What’s so personal about Movember?

My father was diagnosed with both prostate and colon cancer about 6 months ago. And upon that diagnosis, I also learned of the vast family history of cancer on my father’s side. Once that happened, men’s health became personal. And the pull to do something about it became so intense that I put my face on the line.

And yet I decided that the mustache was the thing I would grow. It was uncomfortable (I shaved it off), it wasn’t a great look for me, and the best part? I could blow my nose and never feel like I cleaned everything up.

Yet, I did it. And the proof is right there in that picture.

————

Care to donate to the cause? While November is over, the fight against cancer isn’t over.

]]>http://scottwriteseverything.com/2013/12/04/personal-mo/feed/0http://scottwriteseverything.com/2013/12/04/personal-mo/Coming Off Hiatushttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scottwriteseverything/~3/o6OK55RVVJ0/
http://scottwriteseverything.com/2013/09/11/coming-off-hiatus/#commentsWed, 11 Sep 2013 14:00:43 +0000http://scottwriteseverything.com/?p=477The paperwork is done. It’s official. I’ll be rejoining the ranks of employment. After a three-month “sabbatical,” I’m excited to announce that, on September 16th, I’ll be rejoining Inbox Group as Vice President of Marketing. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to once again work with Chris Donald. I’m energized about having a direct impact on […]

]]>The paperwork is done. It’s official. I’ll be rejoining the ranks of employment.

After a three-month “sabbatical,” I’m excited to announce that, on September 16th, I’ll be rejoining Inbox Group as Vice President of Marketing.

I’m thrilled for the opportunity to once again work with Chris Donald. I’m energized about having a direct impact on the growth and success of the company. And, I’m also very happy to be coming back to an email marketing industry that I have grown to love and in which I know I’ll thrive once again.

When I learned that the move to Virginia was likely to happen, Chris was my first phone call. I didn’t expect it to turn into conversations about a return to Inbox Group. But it did. And I’m all the better for it. (Hopefully, Chris thinks he is, too.)

How did your sabbatical go?

When you end up having three months off, you have time for reflection. And while I’m glad I took the time off (though my wallet and credit cards aren’t), there are several things I learned:

I am now capable of successfully orchestrating a cross-country move, including hiring movers, renting/setting up a new house, becoming a landlord, etc.

It’s hard to write when you’re not really pushed into heavy thought by your day-to-day activities.

I’m not very good at being what my wife began to affectionately call a “househusband.” I can cook and clean just fine; it’s just not something I want to do every single day as my job.

I need to work. If nothing else so I know what day of the week it is.

So, there you have it. We’ve settled into the new house, the kiddo is doing well as her new preschool, and I have gainful employment.

I do have a few more days of “freedom,” but I’m excited to be back into the fold. I look forward to seeing many of you back on the conference circuit very soon!